If you’re looking at treatment options for certain kinds of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), you may want to learn more about Tagrisso (osimertinib).

It’s a prescription drug used in adults in the following situations to treat NSCLC that’s EGFR-positive:

  • after surgery to remove a tumor
  • as a first-line treatment, when cancer has spread from the lungs
  • when cancer has not improved after treatment with another kind of drug known as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor

Tagrisso comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Keep reading for details on Tagrisso and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Tagrisso, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Tagrisso can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Tagrisso, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Tagrisso. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Tagrisso in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Tagrisso requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Tagrisso requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Tagrisso and cost.

How much does the Tagrisso 80-mg tablet cost?

What you’ll pay for Tagrisso 80-milligram (mg) tablets will depend on several factors. Tagrisso’s cost in the U.S.A. may be different from its cost in another country. The cost may also depend on where you fill your prescription.

Tagrisso may only be available at certain pharmacies known as “specialty pharmacies.” You may not be able to fill Tagrisso at your local pharmacy.

Talk with your doctor or insurance provider to learn more about specialty pharmacies you may have access to.

What is Tagrisso’s cost per month?

Your monthly cost of Tagrisso may depend on whether or not you have insurance that covers prescription drugs. It may also depend on where you fill your prescription. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about Tagrisso and cost.

Tagrisso only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication but tends to cost less.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The drugmaker of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take Tagrisso long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Tagrisso if approved by your insurance company. This could help lower the cost of the drug. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of Tagrisso, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a specialty mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Tagrisso. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of Tagrisso or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug copay assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of Tagrisso, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug with insurance or without insurance. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Tagrisso.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Will the number of tablets I’m prescribed affect my cost for Tagrisso?
  • Are there other lower cost drugs that could treat my lung cancer?
  • What options do I have if I can’t afford my medication?

To learn more about Tagrisso, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.